latest health care news

04.09.20

First cohort graduate from innovative midwifery pilot programme

An innovative new midwifery pilot programme being run by the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), in association with a number of NHS trusts in the north of Scotland, has seen it’s first cohort of sixteen nurses graduate from the programme.

Launched by UHI in January 2019, the shortened midwifery programme was designed to help meet the needs of communities in the North of Scotland.

Developed in partnership with NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles, NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland, the postgraduate diploma was designed to enable registered nurses to train as fully-qualified midwives in 20 months.

The first cohort of students on the pilot programme completed their studies at the end of August, while the final cohort will finish the course next summer.

A combination of face-to-face classes at the Centre for Health Science in Inverness, online study via the university’s virtual learning environment and placements with NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles, NHS Orkney and NHS Grampian, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS Fife, in urban, remote and rural island-practice areas.

Students on the programme also assisted during the coronavirus pandemic by starting their final placements early to support the NHS workforce.

Mary Burnside, Deputy Director of Midwifery in NHS Highland, said: “We are delighted to see newly qualified midwives graduate in Highland from the 20-month programme and look forward to welcoming them to the NHS Highland maternity services team.”

Wendy Jessiman, Lead Midwife for Education at the University of the Highlands and Islands, added: “As the only shortened programme in Scotland, we are delighted that all students finishing the programme will be employed in NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles and NHS Orkney.

“The variety of placements and support from the Boards and midwives across Scotland has prepared students to provide excellent midwifery care in remote, rural, urban and island contexts. We wish them all well in their midwifery careers.”

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

national health executive tv

more videos >

featured articles

View all News

last word

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad, president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), sits down with National Health Executive as part of our Last Word Q&A series. Would you talk us throu more > more last word articles >

health service focus

View all News

comment

NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

23/09/2019NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

Reason to celebrate as NHS says watching rugby can be good for your mental ... more >
Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Bei... more >

interviews

Organ Donation Week: Having the conversation

11/09/2020Organ Donation Week: Having the conversation

As part of Organ Donation Week, NHE’s Matt Roberts spoke with our Man... more >

the scalpel's daily blog

Organ Donation Week: Having the conversation

11/09/2020Organ Donation Week: Having the conversation

As part of Organ Donation Week, NHE’s Matt Roberts spoke with our Managing Director Roy Rowlands about the importance of raising awareness for the subject and havin... more >
read more blog posts from 'the scalpel' >